Resolution In Memoriam of Robert Louis Oakley

Endorsed by the Executive Board of the American Association of Law Libraries on October 16, 2007.

WHEREAS, Robert L. Oakley was a highly respected leader of the American Association of Law Libraries, serving as President from 2000 to 2001 and as a member of the Executive Board from 1991 to 1994 and 1999 to 2002; and

was a highly respected leader of the American Association of Law Libraries, serving as President from 2000 to 2001 and as a member of the Executive Board from 1991 to 1994 and 1999 to 2002; and

WHEREAS, Robert L. Oakley, as an Executive Board member and the Washington Affairs Representative, had the stature and respect to provide wise counsel that greatly benefited succeeding Association Presidents and Board members; and

WHEREAS, Robert L. Oakley had the vision of a robust legislative advocacy program for the American Association of Law Libraries that led to the creation and growth of the Washington Affairs Office; and

WHEREAS, Robert L. Oakley served as the Washington Affairs Representative since 1989 and testified on many occasions before the United States Congress and international organizations on behalf of the American Association of Law Libraries and other library associations; and

WHEREAS, Robert L. Oakley was a recognized national and international leader on issues of copyright and intellectual property; and

WHEREAS, Robert L. Oakley was instrumental in the creation of the Legal Information Preservation Alliance in 2003 and was dedicated to the preservation of digital information for future generations; and

WHEREAS, Robert L. Oakley was a model law librarian whose integrity, professionalism, and mentoring served as an inspiration to his colleagues and to aspiring law librarians; and

WHEREAS, Robert L. Oakley, as Director of the Georgetown University Law Library for 25 years, transformed the library into one of the largest law school libraries in the United States and one that exemplifies the highest standards for technology, innovation, and service;

Now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the American Association of Law Libraries honor Robert L. Oakley for his meritorious service to the Association; his dedication to improving the profession of law librarianship; his steadfast commitment to the development of sound information policy and the challenges of preserving online legal information; and his visionary leadership of the Georgetown University Law Library; and be it further

RESOLVED, that in gratitude for his substantive contributions to the profession, the American Association of Law Libraries and its 5,000 members honor the memory of Robert L. Oakley as a colleague and friend; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the American Association of Law Libraries express its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Robert L. Oakley; and be it further

RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be presented to Barbara DesRosiers Oakley on the occasion of the Memorial Service to be held in honor of Robert L. Oakley at the Georgetown University Law Center on November 6, 2007.